All about Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium

• Overview
• History
• Architecture
• Tickets
• Location
• Contact

Sporting venues in the UAE combine world-class facilities with architectural excellence. Similarly, Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain is no exception. Blending heritage with modern architecture, the stadium is the latest addition to mega structures and tourist attractions in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.  

Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium: An Overview

Located in the city of Al Ain, HBZ Stadium serves as the home of Al Ain Football Club. With a capacity to seat 25,000 people at a time, this stadium is a distinguished architectural landmark in Abu Dhabi. Built according to FIFA’s international standards, the stadium hosted the 2017 and 2018 FIFA Club World Cups. The 2019 AFC Asian Cup was also hosted at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. 

History of HBZ Stadium

The mega project was launched in June 2012 and completed within 16 months. The total cost of the development was AED 425M. The stadium is named after His Highness Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and the chairman of the Al Ain Football Club. 

The stadium was inaugurated in 2014 in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and President of the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare.  

It was initially planned that Al Ain FC would face Manchester City in a friendly match during the inaugural ceremony but the English Premier League champions could not visit the UAE because of their match schedules. Once the Premier League season was over, Manchester City arrived in Al Ain, beating the home team 3-0. 

Architecture of the Stadium

One of the highlights of the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium Al Ain is its stunning architecture. The 480,000 sq. ft. stadium is designed by Pattern Architects, whose expert team has successfully incorporated the identity of Al Ain into the structure. In fact, Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium is unique in the sense that its architecture and structural facilities match the local desert landscape and climate. 

For instance, Al Ain is known for its date plantations and the fronds of the stadium resemble date palm fronds. The outer facade of the building is designed using the latest parametric technology to achieve this effect. Along with aesthetics, the facade also has an important function. It acts as a cooling device allowing fresh air to flow freely into the stadium. This creates a perfect atmosphere for the spectators while helping the grass on the pitch to maintain its growth. 

The roof of Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium Al Ain has similarly been designed for solar protection, considering the climatic conditions in the UAE. Other stadiums in the region use the European style drip-line roof, which is meant for wet climates. The idea for the roof of the stadium is inspired by the traditional Arabic head-dress, just allowing enough sunlight for the grass to grow while keeping the pitch and spectators shaded. 

The slope-cut lower tier design results in maximum high-value seats for spectators. VIP access is available for 700 spectators in 10 private cabins. 

The stadium also has 10 entry gates to efficiently manage the crowd of spectators. 

How to Get HBZ Stadium Tickets

The stadium hosts sports competitions, as well as entertainment events and national celebrations. Football fans can easily obtain Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium tickets online or at the stadium’s ticket window. 

When you purchase tickets online, you will receive a confirmation email, followed by an e-ticket in PDF. This must be printed before going to the stadium. 

The venue also has a ticket window where tickets are available three days before the match. 

One can also buy tickets from the sales booth at Al Ain Mall, which is open every day from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. 

Note: Individual buyers can only purchase a maximum of eight tickets per match. 

Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium: Location and Getting There

The stadium is located in one of the most prominent neighbourhoods in Al Ain called Al Towayya. The area is close to the exits to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. 

There are several ways to reach the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium location.

Abu Dhabi residents can reach the stadium via the Al Salamat area as well as the Al Maqam area.

Those coming from Dubai can use the Dubai – Al Ain Road and pass through the Al Hayer area to reach the venue.

If you are visiting Al Ain from Fujairah, you can use the Dubai – Al Ain Road via Emirates Road to reach HBZ Stadium. Parking is available near the stadium. 

Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium Contact Number

Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium contact details are as follows:

Ticket office: +971-4-457-3212

General queries: +971-03-702-1000

This wraps our guide on the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, one of the newest additions to the extensive list of sports facilities and tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi. You can also check out our list of football stadiums in Dubai where fans of the beautiful game congregate to watch their favourite local teams.  There are also many top sports stadiums in Dubai which host a variety of tournaments and events.

Those who prefer playing the sport rather watching matches can check out the best football pitches in Dubai and football pitches in Sharjah.